Walsh Jesuit junior QB Connor Cook is expected to attend the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio next month. Walsh Jesuit coach Gerry Rardin said it's a great opportunity for Cook to gain some national exposure at the event.

"Connor will do well," Rardin said. "He is a great athlete. Great opportunity for great exposure."

Pickerington Central senior DB Malcolm Pannell (6-0, 165) has reportedly made an oral commitment to play at Kent State, according to ScoutingOhio.com. Pannell also reportedly had an offer from Ohio University.

Lancaster senior strong safety/running back Nathan Carpenter is reportedly going to visit Akron on Jan. 15, according to ESPN.com. He is also reportedly considering schools that include Ohio University and Toledo.

The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) will induct Northwest coach James Lower on April 17, 2010 as part of its 24th class. The ceremony will take place at the Columbus Airport Marriott in Columbus.

The University of Notre Dame may have lost a foootball coach, but has gained a brother combination for its baseball team.

Forrest Johnson has signed a letter of intent to play for the Fighting Irish. The Hudson catcher, who will be a senior, hit .300 with 14 RBI but more impressively threw out 14 runners last spring as a junior. He has beeen a starter since his sophomore season.

As I prepare to do the in-studio analysis for SportTime Ohio's coverage of the six state championship games Friday and Saturday, here a few thoughts about those games and the previous weeks of playoffs.

*Massillon and Canton McKinley played some terrific football before exiting. I beg fans of both to show your appreciation to coaches Jason Hall and Ron Johnson. Trust me, both men did great jobs of preparing their teams and giving them chances to win. That is all you can ask of them.